Baroness Eluned Morgan, the Labour First Minister of Wales, has publicly declared her support for Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, amidst growing speculation about his political future. In a detailed statement issued on Tuesday, Morgan emphasised the need for stable leadership following years of Conservative governance, while also voicing significant reservations about recent diplomatic appointments.
Concerns Over Mandelson Appointment
Morgan revealed she holds "concerns" regarding Lord Peter Mandelson's selection as British ambassador to Washington, particularly due to his documented associations with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. She stated that these connections made Mandelson "incompatible with public office," and that subsequent revelations have only strengthened her initial apprehensions.
"These issues are deeply troubling not least because, once again, the voices of women and girls were ignored," Morgan asserted. "That failure must be acknowledged and confronted honestly. Leadership means upholding standards and acting when they fall short."
Contrast with Scottish Labour Position
Notably, the Welsh First Minister has not aligned herself with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who explicitly called for Starmer's resignation during a press conference on Monday. Sarwar argued that the ongoing "distraction" from Downing Street could jeopardise Labour's prospects in the upcoming Holyrood elections scheduled for May.
Morgan, however, maintained a different stance, focusing instead on governmental continuity and delivery. "I support the Prime Minister in the job he was elected to do," she affirmed. "After years of revolving-door leadership under the Conservatives, the country needs stability in an age of instability, and that matters for Wales."
Welsh Priorities and Electoral Challenges
The First Minister outlined a clear set of criteria for evaluating the Prime Minister's performance, centred squarely on Welsh interests. "Ultimately, I judge any Prime Minister by a simple test: whether they deliver for Wales," Morgan explained. "I have been clear with Keir about what Wales needs. Action on the cost of living, investment in our economy and infrastructure, and a continued commitment to stronger devolution."
Morgan herself faces a significant electoral test in May's Senedd elections. Recent opinion polls indicate that Labour's longstanding dominance in Wales, which has persisted for over twenty-five years since the Senedd's establishment in 1999, could be under threat. Despite this, she remains focused on her domestic agenda. "My focus remains on leading Wales with integrity and delivering real change for people here," she concluded.
